Prepare for Worship | Patience with Other's Shortcomings
Last Sunday, Dr. Channing Crisler preached from Galatians 6:1-5 and encouraged us to love one another by bearing the burdens of the justified.
Read: Ephesians 4:1-6
This Sunday, Pastor Jason Finley will continue the theme of bearing with one another from Ephesians 4:1-6 and will call us to love one another by bearing with one another despite our differences. In preparation for Sunday worship, be encouraged by this devotional from Jerry Bridges.
Reflect: “Patience with Others’ Shortcomings”
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
In the Scriptures, forbearance, or tolerance, is associated with love, the unity of the believers, and the forgiveness of Christ. In Ephesians 4:2-3, Paul said that we’re to live “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Peter told us that “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8); love for the other person causes us to overlook or tolerate his shortcomings.
I recall an instance when a friend of mine forgot an appointment we had together. Rather than being peeved, I simply shrugged it off. Later I tried to determine why I’d had such a tolerant reaction to his failure. I concluded it was because I deeply loved and appreciated this person, and the principle that “love covers a multitude of sins” was at work.
Paul said we’re to bear with one another “to maintain the unity of the Spirit” — the unity applied by the Spirit to the body of Christ. We’re to consider the unity of the body far more important than the petty irritants or disappointments of others. Here, Romans 12:5 is very helpful: “Each member belongs to all the others” (NIV). When I’m tempted to become irritated with my brother in Christ, remembering that he belongs to me and I to him helps quell that exasperation.
In Colossians 3:13, Paul equated forbearance with forgiveness: “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another” (NIV). Instead of letting others’ actions irritate us, we’re to use them as an opportunity to forgive as the Lord forgave us.
“Patience with Others’ Shortcomings,” Week 15 / Monday Devotional, in Holiness Day by Day, by Jerry Bridges.
Sing: Song List for Sunday
1. “Oh How Good It Is,” by Keith & Kristyn Getty
2. “How Great Thou Art,” Arr. Paul Baloche
3. “Christian Hearts in Love United,” Arr. Crosspoint Music
4. “Holy Spirit,” by Keith & Kristyn Getty
5. “Let the Nations Be Glad,” by Matt Boswell